Jonny Wilkinson could be one step closer to leaving the Guinness Premiership after Toulon's incoming director of rugby Philippe Saint-André confirmed the player's representatives were in talks with the French club.

World Cup-winning fly-half Wilkinson has been consistently linked with a move to France, following similar switches for England colleagues Riki Flutey, James Haskell and Tom Palmer, and it appears formal negotiations have been opened.

The 29-year-old Wilkinson has not played for Newcastle, his only professional club, since suffering the latest in a long line of injury problems against Gloucester on 30 September and last represented his country more than a year ago.

Saint-André, who is leaving Sale to join Toulon, said: "Jonny's people are in talks with the Toulon chairman. I would obviously like to have as many good players as possible next season and Jonny is a top-quality player. I have heard that a couple of other French clubs are in for him and there is also of course the option for him to stay at Newcastle."

French clubs are not under the same financial constraints as Premiership sides and have proved an attractive proposition for out-of-contract players in recent years. Toulon already have the likes of Jerry Collins, Tana Umaga, Joe van Niekerk and Sonny Bill Williams on their books, thanks to the patronage of millionaire owner Mourad Boudjellal and are keen to continue their ambitious recruitment drive. The Saracens forward Kris Chesney confirmed this week that he is also joining Toulon this summer.

Accepting the club's overtures may yet have an impact on Wilkinson's hopes of an international recall, though, after the RFU expressed concerns about England players leaving the country following Haskell, Palmer and Flutey's simultaneous departures from Wasps.

Wilkinson's injury problems have already meant he is no longer in the RFU's elite playing squad but the current group were all contacted by chief executive Francis Baron outlining the potentially harmful effect of abandoning the domestic game.